Maqta

Maqta is a term used in Persian, Urdu, and related South Asian literary traditions to denote the final couplet of a ghazal. The word maqta literally means end or closing in Arabic. In a maqta, the poet’s takhallus (pen name) is typically included, serving as a signature and personal stamp on the poem. The maqta may praise, reflect on, or humorously refer to the poet’s life and circumstances, often with a self-referential tone. It is usually the last sher of the ghazal and completes the poem’s rhyme and refrain scheme (radif and qafiyah).

The takhallus can appear in the second line of the final couplet or, less commonly, in the entire couplet. Some maqta also incorporate a nisba or identifying details such as place of origin or status. In practice, the maqta provides a formal opportunity for the poet to sign the work and to create a memorable closing image or twist.

Maqta is a hallmark of classical ghazal composition, though not all ghazals include one. Its use varies by period and region, reflecting broader Persianate poetic conventions that influenced Urdu, Hindi, and other literatures. Notable poets such as Mirza Ghalib and Mir Taqi Mir are associated with maqta usage, illustrating how the device functions as both signature and craft within the tradition.